Component Shoe

ABSTRACT

Footwear including a sole and an upper, wherein the sole includes a bottom surface, suitable for contacting the ground during use, and a sidewall that extends from the bottom surface and is placed at the outer periphery of the sole, wherein the upper is removable attachable to the sole whereby obtaining the footwear. The present invention further discloses a method for assembling the footwear.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention refers to a footwear having several components,which can be assembled together by the user. In particular, the presentinvention refers to a footwear wherein the upper can be assembled to asole by a suitable attachment system.

The present invention also refers to a method for assembling a footwear.

STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

Conventional shoes, present on the market, are composed by a sole and anupper. The upper is fixedly connected to the sole and therefore eachshoe has a specific design, is made from pre-determined material and isa product that is sold and conceive as a unit. Therefore, the user isnot able to customize the conventional footwear he finds on the market,as he has not the possibility to associate a desired upper with acertain sole, according to his desires.

Moreover, if a shoe is damaged, for example on the sole or on the upper,the user has to throw away the entire shoe. In this way, he has to spendmoney for new shoes and it is a wastefulness also from an environmentpoint of view.

The application n. DE2523299 discloses a shoe consisting of a sole (3)and an upper (1) suitable to be constrained to the sole. In particular,the upper is pre-shaped and comprises holes while the sole comprisesconnection elements or eyelets which are inserted in the holes of theupper. This releasable connection between the upper (1) and the sole (3)is attached to the side edge of the sole.

The application n. US2005/097781 discloses a shoe (10) with a portionfor housing the food (20) and a sole portion (30). The portion forhousing the foot (20) is pre-shaped and comprises a covering portion(21) and a supporting portion (22), as well as several attachmentelements or eyelets (23a-23f) on the upper suitable for engaging withthe sole (30) on respective attachments means (33a-33f).

The specific structure of attachment elements (23a-23f and 33a-33f) mayvary considerably within the scope of the present invention to includesnap or button-type fasteners (as shown below), hook and pile fasteningsystems, magnetic fasteners, or other mechanical fasteners, for example.

The international application n. WO2014/071964 discloses a shoe (1)which comprises a sole element (2) and an upper (3), wherein the soleelement (2) and the upper (3) are held together by a cable-formconnecting element (4) being guided through eyelet-like or tubularportions (5, 6) on the sole element (2) and on the upper part (3).

Therefore, there is the need of new footwears that allow the user tocustomize them and also that are more ecological andenvironmentally-friendly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One object of the present invention is to improve the state of the priorart.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a footwearhaving a sole and an upper, where the upper can be associated with thesole by the user.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a footwear thatallows the user to freely choose the footwear's components on the baseof his style or on the base of weather condition or else on the base ofthe place where he has to wear it.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a footwear thatallows the user to replace a damaged footwear's component without theneed to replace the entire footwear, thus saving money and preservingthe environment.

Therefore, the main objects of the present invention are to provide afootwear customizable and also environmentally-friendly.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a footwear isprovided according to the present application.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a method forassembling of a footwear that allows the user to freely select thecomponents of the footwear and attach the selected components on thebase of his style, or on the base of weather condition or else on thebase of the place where he has to wear the footwear itself.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a method forassembling a footwear that results in a versatile, customizable andenvironment-friendly footwear.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a method forassembling a footwear is provided according to the present application.

The present application refers to preferred and advantageous embodimentsof the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The characteristics of the invention will be better understood by everyman skilled in the art from the following description and from theenclosed drawing tables, given as a non-limiting example, in which:

FIG. 1 shows laterally a footwear according to a version of the presentinvention,

FIG. 2 shows the bottom of a sole of a footwear according to a versionof the present invention,

FIG. 3 shows an enlarged detail of the sole of FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of a version of the footwear according tothe invention,

FIG. 5A shows the top surface of a sole according to the presentinvention, for example that of

FIG. 2,

FIG. 5B shows the lateral view of the sole of FIGS. 4 and 5A,

FIG. 6 shows the assembled footwear of FIG. 4,

FIG. 7 shows an enlarged detail of the attachment system of the presentinvention,

FIG. 8 shows a lateral view of a version of a footwear according to thepresent invention,

FIG. 9 shows a transversal section of the footwear of FIG. 8, takenalong the plane IX of

FIG. 8,

FIG. 10 shows the bottom on a version of a sole according to the presentinvention, for example that of FIGS. 8 and 9,

FIG. 11 shows a version of the upper according to the invention,

FIGS. 12A, 12B, 12C show a footwear according to the inventionrespectively from a perspective point of view, from the rear and a sideview, and

FIGS. 13A, 13B, 13C show one version of the upper of a footwearaccording to the invention in a flattened shape.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The footwear according to the present invention is indicated as a wholewith the reference number 1 in the attached drawings.

The footwear 1 is particularly a shoe.

The footwear 1 of the present invention comprises a sole 2 and an upper3.

The upper 3 is removable attachable to the sole 2 whereby obtaining thefootwear 1 according to the present invention.

The footwear 1 further comprises an opening 4, from which the userinserts his foot inside the footwear 1.

During the present description, the word “bottom” refers to a surface orelement usually facing the ground or suitable to contact the ground.

The word “top” refers to a surface or element usually facing oppositethe ground or oriented towards a direction opposite to the ground.

With “longitudinal” it is meant an axis or direction from the tip to theheel of the footwear while “transversal” means an axis or directionperpendicular to that longitudinal, i.e. from the right side to the leftside of the foot inserted in the footwear 1. The sole 2 has a bottomsurface 2 a and a top surface 2 b.

The bottom surface 2 a may have a determined pattern or tread, in orderto increase the grip to the ground. In fact, the bottom surface 2 a issuitable for contacting the ground during use. Moreover, the bottomsurface 2 a may comprise one or more inserts, in the same material ofthe sole 2 or in a different material, suitable to confer specific gripor anti-slip or aesthetic features to the sole 2.

The top surface 2 b is opposite to the bottom surface 2 a and is insidethe footwear 1.

The sole 2, in an embodiment of the invention, is a cupsole. The sole 2further comprises a sidewall 2 c.

The sidewall 2 c extends from the bottom surface 2 a of the sole.

The sidewall 2 c extends towards the top of the footwear 1, in asubstantially perpendicular matter with respect to the bottom sole 2 a.

The sidewall 2 c extends from and/or is placed and/or determines theouter periphery 12 of the sole 2

The sole 2 has a shape substantially corresponding to the bottom of thefoot and the outer periphery 12 substantially corresponds to the outerperiphery of the foot itself.

The sole 2 of the footwear 1 is usually made of a rubber material or ofa polyurethane (PU) material or of a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) orother suitable materials.

When at least one insert is present in the bottom surface 2 a of thesole 2, such at least one insert is preferably made of rubber,especially when the sole 2 is made in a polyurethane material.

In a version of the invention, the sole 2 comprises a midsole 5. Themidsole 5 is at least partially or completely enclosed by the sidewall 2c. The midsole 5 has a top surface 5 a which is suitable to contact thebottom surface of the user's foot or that faces the user's foot.

In another version of the invention, the sole 2 does not comprise amidsole 5 and the top surface 2 b of the sole 2 is suitable to contactthe bottom surface of the user's foot or that faces the user's foot.

The midsole 5, when present, is made of ethyl-vinyl-acetate,polyurethane or similar suitable materials allowing the comfort and thesupport for the foot.

The midsole 5 may be cemented or molded in the sole 2 or fixed to thesole 2 by a suitable technique.

In another version, the material composing the midsole 5, in a fluidstate, is poured inside the sole 2, in particular in the space containedby the bottom surface 2 a and the sidewall 2 c of the sole 2 and thenlet setting or curing inside it until it reaches a solid state.

In a further version, the midsole 5 drops in the sole 2 and it is notmolded in or cemented in the latter.

The upper 3 in a version of the invention is a single piece of materialshaped, during use, to at least substantially wrap the foot of the user.

In a further version of the invention (for example shown in FIGS. 1 and13), the upper is made from at least two parts. In such an example, theupper 3 is composed by a tip or front portion 3 a, suitable to cover thefore-foot portion of the foot, a heel portion 3 b, suitable to encirclethe heel of the foot, and one or two side portions 3 c.

The tip or front portion 3 a is connected to the side portion/s 3 c andthe side portion/s 3 c is/are connected to the heel portion 3 b.

This kind of connection is made with suitable connection means, such asscrews, pins, clips, buttons, etc. In another version of the invention,this kind of connection is made with suitable connection means, such asseams or stitching.

For example in FIGS. 12 and 13, it is possible to see that the tip orfront portion 3 a is connected to the side portion 3 c (that in thiscase is a single piece having an elongate shape similar to a sort ofbridge) at first connection points 3 a 1, 3 c 1.

The first connection points 3 c 1 are placed laterally to the elongateshape of the side portion 3 c.

The side portion 3 c, when shaped and connected to at least the tip orfront portion 3 a, has a C shape. The convexity of the C-shape isdirected towards the heel portion of the footwear.

The connection points may comprise one or more holes or correspondingholes, suitable to put together two elements or portions of the presentinvention, for example through suitable connection means, such asscrews, pins, clips, buttons, etc., possibly suitable to be engaged orhoused inside such one or more holes.

As can be seen in FIGS. 12 and 13, the footwear according to the presentinvention comprises also a heel portion 3 b that is connected to theside portion 3 c at second connection points 3 c 2, 3 b 2.

The second connection points 3 c 2, 3 b 2 are placed centrally, withrespect to the heel portion 3 b and the side portion 3 c. In particular,the second connection points 3 c 2, 3 b 2 are placed in the top portion,during use, of such components of the footwear or at least the secondconnection points 3 b 2 are placed in the top portion of the heelportion 3 b.

The during use top portions or surfaces of the footwear according to thepresent invention, as will better disclosed hereafter, are faced towardsan edge 13 of the opening 4 of the upper 3.

In its flattened shape, as visible in FIGS. 13A and 13C, the heelportion has a substantially rectangular, square, trapezoidal orsubstantially circular configuration.

As said, the top portion during use of the heel portion 3 b isinterested by the second connection points 3 b 2 while the bottom duringuse portion thereof corresponds to a bottom edge 14 of the upper 3and/or in interested by the presence of a plurality of holes 17 of anattachment system 6, as better disclosed hereafter.

As visible from FIG. 13B, the side portion 3 c may also comprise a reartongue element 3 d. The rear tongue element 3 d will, during use,constitute a rear tongue for the footwear 1.

The rear tongue element 3 d may be already shaped as a rear tongue ormay have to be shaped to constitute the final rear tongue of thefootwear 1. For example, the rear element 3 d may have a substantiallyelongate configuration, with a length about the double of the length ofthe final rear tongue, and has to be fold back on itself to reach thefinal configuration. In this latter case, third connection points 3 d 1,3 d 2 may be present. For example, there are at least two thirdconnection points 3 d 1, 3 d 2, one of them (3 d 1) is placed at thepeak of the rear tongue element 3 d, at a greater distance from the sideportion 3 c with respect to the other third connection point (3 d 2).The other third connection point (3 d 2) is placed near the secondconnection points 3 c 2, 3 b 2, in the side portion 3 c and/or in theheel portion 3 b. in this way, the position of the third connectionpoints 3 d 1, 3 d 2 allows the folding back of the rear tongue element 3d, connecting in a constrained way its folding.

The side portion 3 c may also comprise one or two intermediateextensions 3 ca, 3 cb.

The intermediate extension 3 ca, 3 cb are placed one opposite to theother with respect to the rest tongue 3 d.

The intermediate extensions 3 ca, 3 cb are placed near the side ends ofthe side portion 3 c, possibly in a symmetric manner with respect to thesymmetry transversal plane of the side portion 3 c.

The intermediate extensions 3 ca, 3 cb are, in at least one versionthereof, placed laterally with respect to a space in use occupied by theheel portion 3 b and/or to the heel portion 3 b.

During use, the intermediate extensions 3 ca, 3 cb extend from the sideportion 3 c towards the sole 2 of the footwear 1 at a distal endthereof. The distal end of the intermediate extensions 3 ca, 3 cb and/orthe intermediate extensions 3 ca, 3 cb comprise at least a part of thebottom edge 14 of the upper 3 and/or a plurality of holes 17 of anattachment system 6, as better disclosed hereafter.

The tip or front portion 3 a, as visible from FIG. 13c , in itsflattened shape has a substantially semicircular or semi-ovalconformation, with a substantially flat side in use towards the opening4 of the upper 3, or towards the heel portion 3 b.

The upper may be made also only by two portions or from a number higherthan three of portions, according to the specific design and purpose ofthe footwear 1 including such upper's portions.

Taken together, the portions 3 a, 3 b and 3 c reproduce during use theshape of a conventional upper of a shoe.

As previously said, the upper 3 delimits during use an opening 4 forfoot insertion. The edge 13 of the upper 3 delimiting the opening 4 issubstantially circular shaped. Such edge may be composed by therespective edges of the portions 3 a, 3 b, 3 c constituting the upper 3in such specific embodiment. The edge 13 is the top edge of the upper 3.

The upper 3 may be made of any suitable material, for example leather,textile, synthetic material or mixture thereof.

The upper 3 further comprises a bottom edge 14, facing towards the sole2 or the ground. The bottom edge 14 substantially corresponds to theouter periphery 12 of the sole 2. During use, when the upper 3 isattached to the sole 2, the bottom edge 14 corresponds and/or is over tothe outer periphery 12 of the sole 2.

The footwear 1 according the present invention further comprises anattachment system 6.

The attachment system 6 has the aim to attach the sole 2 and the upper 3at the area of the outer periphery 12 of the sole 2 and the bottom edge14 of the upper 3.

More in detail, the attachment system 6 comprises a plurality of lugs16.

Each lug 16 is a sort of projection or bump that extends outwardly orprotrude from the sidewall 2 c of the sole 2.

Each lug 16 is substantially perpendicular to the sidewall 2 c.

The lug 16 has a substantially rectangular or circular shape departingfrom the sidewall 2 c.

Furthermore, each lug 16 includes a through-opening 16 a.

The through-opening 16 a has a substantially top-down direction; moreparticularly, the through-opening 16 a has a development substantiallysloping or perpendicular with respect to the bottom surface 2 a of thesole 2.

In a version of the invention, the through-opening 16 a has a verticaldevelopment, considering the footwear 1 resting on the ground at thebottom surface 2 a.

The plurality of lugs 16 (called also “side lugs”) are preferably madeof rubber, for example the same rubber type of which the sole 2 is made,in a version of the invention. The lugs 16 may also be made from othersuitable material, allowing them to perform their aim.

In a version of the invention, the lugs 16 are part of the sole 2, i.e.are molded or realized in a single step or as a single body with thesole 2.

In a version of the invention, the sole 2 is composed of a sole of afirst material, for example molded polyurethane, with lugs 16 of asecond material, for example rubber, wherein the lugs 16 are inserted inor attached to the sole 2, particularly inserted in or attached to thesidewall 2 c (as shown in FIG. 9). In this version of the invention, themidsole 5 may not be present and the sole 2 is realized as a whole, i.e.the sole 2 directly comprises also the midsole in a single piece ofmaterial, comprising a top surface 2 b for contacting with the user'sfoot.

For example, in a further version of the invention, the sole 2 isrealized as a one-piece soling unit, where a chassis, comprising aplurality of lugs 16, is placed in a mold where a PU or a material ofthe sole 2 is poured in. The chassis, comprising the lugs 16, therefore,becomes an integral part of the soling unit or sole 2.

The chassis may be die cut or molded and/or it may be made of PU, TPU,rubber or other materials.

In a version of the invention, the through-opening 16 a are realizedduring the realization or molding step of the lugs 16.

In another version of the invention, the through-opening 16 a arerealized after the realization or molding step of the lugs 16, forexample by piercing the latter through a suitable tool.

The attachment system 6 further comprises a plurality of holes 17—assaid above—made in the upper 3. The holes 17 are matching with theplurality of lugs 16, both in terms of position and of shape.

The holes 17 are suitable to engage with the lugs 16.

The holes 17 are realized at the bottom portion of the upper 3, in thevicinity of the bottom edge 14.

Each hole 17 has a substantially rectangular or circular shape,corresponding to the substantially rectangular or circular shape of thelug 16.

In fact, the lug 16 is inserted in the hole 17 or fits inside it, inorder to attach the upper 3 to the sole 2.

Each hole 17 is a sort of buttonhole for the lug 16.

Such attachment is a removable or reversible connection.

In this way, the upper is attached in a removable way to the sole andtherefore the user can select the sole or the upper (or the portion ofthe upper) in order to customize his footwear or to repair only thedamaged portion of his footwear.

The bottom portion of the upper 3, where there are the holes 17, coversand/or is over the portion of the sidewall 2 c where the lugs 16 arepresent.

Correspondingly, holes 17 fit over side lugs 16.

The plurality of lugs 16, and correspondingly the plurality of matchingholes 17, is placed at the outer periphery 12 of the sole, i.e. alongits profile.

The lugs 16 may be spaced apart the one with respect to the other alongthe whole sidewall 2 c. Otherwise, the lugs 16 may be present or groupedonly in specific traits of the sidewall 2 c, where due to stressesarising during use of the footwear 1 there is a greater need ofattachment with the upper 3.

Obviously, holes 17 reflects the position of lugs 16.

In a version of the invention, the holes 17 are realized by die cuttingor piercing or cutting of the upper 3.

In order to do not be damaged, the lugs are realized aiming atminimizing bulk and/or weight of the footwear 1. Therefore, the size ofthe lugs is suitable to realize the attachment with the upper butkeeping attention that this does not makes the footwear 1 unpractical touse.

In order to confer a surer attachment of the sole 2 and the upper 3, theattachment system 6 further comprises a safe attachment element.

In a version of the invention, the safe attachment element comprises alace-like element 18.

Once the lugs 16 are inserted into the holes 17 of the upper, and theupper 3 is therefore connected with the sole 2, the lace-like element 18is passed through the through-openings 16 a of the lugs 16 to ensurethat the upper 3 does not come off the lugs 16.

The lace-like element 18 may be a thin cord or string. In a version ofthe invention, it has rigid tips on both ends to facilitate passing itthrough the holes or through-openings 16 a of the side lugs 16. The cordor string may be made of leather or a synthetic material.

In a version of the invention, the cord or string is finished byknotting its ends together or by the use of a clamp.

The lace-like element 18 may be also defined a connecting string. In aversion of the invention, the lace-like element 18 is laced through thelugs 16.

In another version of the invention, the safe attachment elementcomprises a series of pegs or connected pegs (not shown); such pegs orconnected pegs would go or be inserted into the through-openings 16 a ofthe lugs 16.

The pegs could be used instead of the lace-like element or, in a versionof the invention together with the lace-like element for bettercertainty of connection between the sole 2 and the upper 3.

In a version of the invention, the upper 3, before it is attached to thesole 2, has a flat or flattened conformation (as shown in FIGS. 13A,13B, 13C).

In another version, the upper 3 is pre-shaped.

In the version where the upper 3 has a flat conformation, it is shaped,in a sort of 3D shape, conforming the natural shape of the foot, whenthe user attaches the upper 3 to the sole 2 through the attaching system6.

In particular, according to the examples shown in FIGS. 11, 12A, B and Cand 13A, B, C, the upper 3 has a flat configuration and, in order toassume its 3D final shape, it is realized with a series of cuts orsplits 19.

In particular, such cuts or splits 19 are made or placed at the bottomedge 14 of upper 3.

Such cuts or splits 19 are oriented towards the inner area or centralportion of the upper 3, possibly towards the opening 4 of the same.

In a version of the invention, such cuts or splits 19 are present alsowhen the upper has a pre-determined shaped or 3D configuration.

In this way, during the attachment steps of the upper 3 to the sole 2,the cuts or splits 19 allows the user to fold the upper 3 in order tobecome a 3D shape from a flat shape for the upper 3.

The cuts or splits 19 determine a corresponding series of wings 20 ofupper 3. The wings 20 departs from a central portion of the upper placedsubstantially around the opening 4 for the foot insertion. For a firsttrait, the central portion of the upper is continuous and entire.

After this first trait, the wings 20 departs from such central portionand are separate the one by the other by the cuts or splits 19.

Therefore, the upper 3 having a flat configuration comprises a series ofcuts or splits 19 and a corresponding series of wings 20, at the bottomedge 14 of the upper 3, separated the one to the other by the cuts orsplits 19.

In other words, each wing 20 may have a substantially rectangularconformation, having a base trait 20 a corresponding to a portion of thebottom edge 14 of the upper 3 and two sides 20 b defined by ordetermined by or corresponding to the cuts or splits 19. Each wing 20further comprises a second trait 20 c, parallel to the base trait 20 a,that is connected or realized as a whole with the central portion orremaining portion of the upper.

The two sides 20 b are substantially parallel the one with respect tothe other, and/or substantially perpendicular to the base trait 20 a orsubstantially converging towards the base trait 20 a.

In this case, the bottom edge 14 of the upper 3 is not continuous and itis realized by the series of base traits 20 a of the wings 20.

These wings may be present also when two or more portions compose theupper 3.

For example, the wings 20 can be present in the heel portion 3 b and/orin the tip or front portion 3 a and/or in the side portion 3 c and/or inthe intermediate extensions 3 ca, 3 cb of the side portion 3 c.

Again, there wings 20 may be present only at certain portion of thefootwear, for example at the front and/or rear portions of the footwear,where the upper 3 has a greater curvature or 3D structure.

For example, the splits 19 in the tip area of the tip or front portion,i.e. in the area corresponding to the tip of the footwear, the splits 19may have a greater width than splits 19 placed in other parts of thefootwear 1, as in this area the upper 3 needs to be shaped or foldedwith a great curvature than in other parts, in order to compliant withthe shape of the user's foot.

Otherwise, in another version, such wings may not be present in lateralportions of the upper, because such portions are substantially flat, andtherefore in such areas the flat upper does not need to be shaped.

Near the base trait 20 a, one or more holes 17 are present also in thewigs 20, for engagement with respective lugs 16 of the sole 2.

In a version of the invention, as shown in FIG. 4, the midsole 5 maycomprise a first midsole portion, which development substantiallycorresponds to the bottom of the foot, and a second midsole portionplaced in the heel area, namely a heel midsole portion. In this way, themidsole 5 in the area of the heel has a height that is greater than theheight of the midsole 5 at the from area.

The present invention also discloses a method for assembling of afootwear.

This method comprises the steps of providing a sole 2 comprising abottom surface 2 a, suitable for contacting the ground during use, and asidewall 2 c that extends from the bottom surface 2 a and is placed atthe outer periphery 12 of the sole 2, providing an upper 3, removablyattaching the upper 3 to the sole 2, thus obtaining the footwear 1.

The method comprises also a step of providing an attachment system 6suitable to removably attach the upper 3 to the sole 2.

The step of providing the attachment system 6 comprises providing aplurality of lugs 16, placed in the sole 2 and extending outwardly fromthe sidewall 2 c, providing a plurality of holes 17, placed in theupper, wherein the holes 17 are placed near a bottom edge 14 of theupper 3, wherein the bottom edge 14 is facing towards the sole 2,placing the upper 3 substantially over the sole 2 and the holes 17substantially over the lungs 16, engaging the holes 17 with theplurality of lugs 16, for example inserting each lugs 16 inside acorresponding hole 17 and thus attaching the upper 3 to the sole 2.

The method according to the invention further comprises the steps ofproviding a safe attachment element, wherein the safe-attachment elementcomprises a lace-like element 18 and/or at least one peg element, andlacing and/or inserting and/or passing the lace-like element 18 and/orthe at least one peg element through the through-openings 16 a providedin each lug 16.

Moreover, in a version of the invention, the method comprises the stepof providing a midsole 5, inserting the midsole 5 inside the sole 2and/or inside the sidewall 2 c by cementing or molding the midsole 5 inthe sole 2 or fixing the midsole 5 to the sole 2 by a suitable techniqueor pouring or dropping the material composing the midsole 5, in a fluidstate, inside the sole 2, and then letting setting or curing the midsole5 inside the sole 2 until it reaches a solid state.

The previously disclosed step of providing the upper 3 comprises, in aversion of the invention, the steps of providing at least two parts ofthe upper 3, for example a tip or front portion 3 a, suitable to coverthe fore-foot portion of the foot, a heel portion 3 b, suitable toencircle the heel of the foot, and/or one or two side portions 3 c,connecting together such portions to determine the final in use shape ofthe upper 3, for example connecting the tip or front portion 3 a to theside portion/s 3 c and the side portion/s 3 c to the heel portion 3 b.

In a further version, alternative or in addition to the previous one,the step of providing the upper 3 comprises the steps of providing theupper 3 having a flat configuration, wherein the upper 3 comprises aseries of cuts or splits 19 and a corresponding series of wings 20, atthe bottom edge 14 of the upper 3, separated the one to the other by thecuts or splits 19, wherein each wing 20 has a substantially rectangularconformation, having a base trait 20 a corresponding to a portion of thebottom edge 14 and two sides 20 b defined by the cuts or splits 19,folding or curving the wings 20 and/or getting close a first wing 20 tothe nearer or a second wing 20 in order to give the upper 3 a curved orshaped configuration, suitable to cover at least a part of the foot,getting near and/or place side by side the base traits 20 a of at leasttwo wings 20, in order to make the bottom edge 14 substantiallycontinuous in at least a portion, engaging the holes 17 provided in eachwing 20 with the plurality of lugs 16, for example inserting each lugs16 inside a corresponding hole 17 and thus attaching the upper 3 to thesole 2.

As is evident from the above description, the present invention meetsthe previously-indicated advantages.

Indeed, by means of this method, it is possible to simply and quicklyobtain a footwear that is customizable and environment-friendly becauseit allows the user to freely choose the footwear's components on thebase of his style or desires and, optionally, to replace a damagedfootwear's component without the need to replace the entire footwear.

The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modificationsand variants, all falling within the scope of the inventive concept.

In addition, the characteristics described for one embodiment of theinvention can also be present in other embodiments, without departingfrom the protective scope of the present invention.

In addition, all details can be substituted with other technicallyequivalent elements. In practice, all employed materials, as well as thecontingent shapes and sizes, can be of any type in accordance withrequirements, without departing from the protective scope of thefollowing claims.

1. A footwear comprising a sole and an upper, wherein the sole comprisesa bottom surface, suitable for contacting the ground during use, and asidewall that extends from the bottom surface and is placed at the outerperiphery of the sole, wherein the upper is removable attachable and/orattached to the sole whereby obtaining the footwear, wherein saidfootwear comprises an attachment system suitable to removably attach theupper to the sole, wherein said attachment system comprises a pluralityof lugs, placed in the sole and extending outwardly from the sidewall,and a plurality of holes, placed in the upper, wherein the holes aresuitable during use to be over and engage with the plurality of lugs,wherein the upper has a flat configuration, suitable, when attached tothe sole, to at least substantially wrap the foot of the user. 2.(canceled)
 3. (canceled)
 4. The footwear according to claim 1, whereinsaid holes are placed near a bottom edge of the upper, wherein saidbottom edge is facing towards the sole.
 5. The footwear according toclaim 1, wherein the holes have a shape matching the shape of theplurality of lugs, including a substantially rectangular shape orcircular shape.
 6. The footwear according to claim 1, wherein each lugincludes a through-opening.
 7. The footwear according to claim 6,wherein the through-opening has a substantially top-down direction,and/or the through-opening has a development substantially sloping orperpendicular with respect to the bottom surface of the sole and/or thethrough-opening has a vertical development, considering the footwearresting on the ground at the bottom surface.
 8. The footwear accordingto claim 1, wherein the footwear or the attachment system furthercomprises a safe attachment element, wherein the safe-attachment elementcomprises a lace-like element and/or at least one peg element, whereinthe safe attachment element is suitable to be laced and/or insertedthrough the through-openings of the lugs.
 9. The footwear according toclaim 1, wherein the sole is made of a rubber material or of apolyurethane (PU) material or of a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) orother suitable materials and/or wherein the upper is made of leather,textile, synthetic material or any suitable material, or mixturethereof, and/or comprising a midsole, wherein the midsole is at leastpartially or completely enclosed by the sidewall of the sole, and/orwherein the midsole is made of ethyl-vinyl-acetate (EVA), polyurethane(PU) or similar suitable materials allowing the comfort and the supportfor the user's foot during use.
 10. The footwear according to claim 1,wherein the upper is a single piece of material shaped, during use, toat least substantially wrap the foot of the user or wherein the upper ismade from at least two parts, including a tip or front portion, to coverthe fore-foot portion of the foot, a heel portion, to encircle the heelof the foot, and/or one or two side portions, wherein said portions areconnected together to determine the upper.
 11. The footwear according toclaim 4, wherein the upper comprises a series of cuts or splits and acorresponding series of wings, at the bottom edge of the upper,separated the one to the other by said cuts or splits, wherein each winghas a substantially rectangular conformation, having a base traitcorresponding to a portion of the bottom edge and two sides defined bythe cuts or splits.
 12. A method for assembling a footwear according toclaim 1, comprising the steps of: providing a sole comprising a bottomsurface, suitable for contacting the ground during use, and a sidewallthat extends from the bottom surface and is placed at the outerperiphery of the sole, providing an upper, wherein the upper has a flatconfiguration, which, when attached to the sole, at least substantiallywraps the foot of the user, comprising the step of providing anattachment system to removably attach the upper to the sole, whereinsaid step of providing the attachment system comprises: providing aplurality of lugs, placed in the sole and extending outwardly from thesidewall, providing a plurality of holes, placed in the upper, whereinsaid holes are placed near a bottom edge of the upper, wherein saidbottom edge is facing towards the sole, placing the upper substantiallyover the sole and the holes substantially over the lungs, engaging theholes with the plurality of lugs, including inserting each lug inside acorresponding hole and thus attaching the upper to the sole, removablyattaching the upper to the sole, obtaining the footwear.
 13. (canceled)14. (canceled)
 15. The method according to claim 12, comprising thesteps of: providing a safe attachment element, wherein thesafe-attachment element comprises a lace-like element and/or at leastone peg element, lacing and/or inserting and/or passing the lace-likeelement and/or the at least one peg element through a through-openingsprovided in each lug.
 16. The method according to claim 12, comprisingthe following steps of: providing a midsole, inserting the midsoleinside the sole and/or inside the sidewall by cementing or molding themidsole in the sole or fixing the midsole to the sole by a suitabletechnique or pouring or dropping the material composing the midsole, ina fluid state, inside the sole, and then letting setting or curing themidsole inside the sole until it reaches a solid state.
 17. The methodaccording to claim 12, wherein said step of providing the uppercomprises providing at least two parts of the upper, including a tip orfront portion, suitable to cover the fore-foot portion of the foot, aheel portion, suitable to encircle the heel of the foot, and/or one ortwo side portions, connecting together said portions to determine thefinal in use shape of the upper, including connecting the tip or frontportion to the side portion/s and the side portion/s to the heelportion.
 18. The method according to claim 12, wherein said step ofproviding the upper comprises the steps of: providing the upper having aflat configuration or providing the upper, wherein said upper comprisesa series of cuts or splits and a corresponding series of wings, at thebottom edge of the upper, separated the one to the other by said cuts orsplits, wherein each wing has a substantially rectangular conformation,having a base trait corresponding to a portion of the bottom edge andtwo sides defined by the cuts or splits, folding or curving said wingsand/or getting close a first wing to the nearer or a second wing inorder to give the upper a curved or shaped configuration, suitable tocover at least a part of the foot, getting near and/or place side byside the base traits of at least two wings, in order to make the bottomedge substantially continuous in at least a portion, engaging the holesprovided in each wing with the plurality of lugs, including insertingeach of the plurality of lugs inside a corresponding hole and thusattaching the upper to the sole.
 19. An attachment system for removablyattaching the upper to the sole of a footwear according to claim 1,comprising a plurality of lugs, placed in the sole and extendingoutwardly from the sidewall of the sole, and a plurality of holes,placed in the upper, wherein the holes are suitable during use to beover and engage with the plurality of lugs, and a safe attachmentelement, wherein each lug has a substantially rectangular or circularshape departing from said sidewall and includes a through-opening,wherein said safe-attachment element comprises a lace-like elementand/or at least one peg element, wherein said safe attachment element issuitable to be laced and/or inserted through through-openings of thelugs.
 20. (canceled)